Vibration damping nock construction

Abstract

A vibration damping nock for crossbow arrows includes an insert to absorb bow string slap, thereby to prevent damage to the nock during crossbow firing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A nock comprising:
 a cylindrical support structure; and 
 a shock absorbing insert, wherein the shock absorbing insert is at least partially inserted into the cylindrical support structure, wherein the nock comprises a lighting assembly housed within the cylindrical support structure, and wherein the shock absorbing insert is translucent. 
 
     
     
       2. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing insert comprises an injection molded material. 
     
     
       3. The nock of  claim 2 , wherein the injection molded material comprises thermopolymer urethane or thermoplastic urethane. 
     
     
       4. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical support structure comprises aluminum. 
     
     
       5. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the nock comprises a switch configured to activate the lighting assembly, and the shock absorbing insert is configured to move and close the switch upon an impact of a bowstring against the shock absorbing insert. 
     
     
       6. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing insert comprises a notch configured to receive a bowstring. 
     
     
       7. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing insert comprises a deformable material. 
     
     
       8. The nock of  claim 7 , wherein the deformable material is a resilient material configured to return to its original shape following deformation. 
     
     
       9. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the shock absorbing insert comprises rubber. 
     
     
       10. The nock of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting assembly comprises a LED. 
     
     
       11. The nock of  claim 10 , wherein the shock absorbing insert is configured to move within the cylindrical support structure and contact the LED upon impact of a bowstring against the shock absorbing insert. 
     
     
       12. A nock comprising:
 a cylindrical support structure; and 
 a shock absorbing insert, wherein the shock absorbing insert is at least partially inserted into the cylindrical support structure, and wherein the shock absorbing insert comprises a rib configured to be struck by a bowstring. 
 
     
     
       13. A nock comprising:
 a cylindrical support structure; and 
 a shock absorbing insert, wherein the shock absorbing insert is at least partially inserted into the cylindrical support structure, and wherein the cylindrical support structure comprises orifices, and the shock absorbing insert comprises projections, wherein each projection is configured to be inserted into an orifice. 
 
     
     
       14. A nock comprising:
 a cylindrical support structure; and 
 a shock absorbing insert, wherein the shock absorbing insert is at least partially inserted into the cylindrical support structure, wherein the nock comprises a lighting assembly housed within the cylindrical support structure, wherein the lighting assembly comprises a LED, wherein the shock absorbing insert is configured to move within the cylindrical support structure and contact the LED upon impact of a bowstring against the shock absorbing insert, and wherein the LED is configured to move within the nock upon contact with the shock absorbing insert. 
 
     
     
       15. A nock comprising:
 a cylindrical support structure; and 
 a shock absorbing insert, wherein the shock absorbing insert is at least partially inserted into the cylindrical support structure, wherein the shock absorbing insert comprises a flexible narrowed portion. 
 
     
     
       16. The nock of  claim 15 , wherein the shock absorbing comprises a thermopolymer urethane. 
     
     
       17. The nock of  claim 15 , wherein the nock comprises a lighting assembly housed within the cylindrical support structure. 
     
     
       18. The nock of  claim 17 , wherein the lighting assembly comprises a LED.